Will Costa Rica have an opportunity to back up their 2015 ISA World Surfing Games Gold Medal with a Gold on the Olympic stage? Photo: ISA/Dave Nelson

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has welcomed the decision by Tokyo 2020 to place Surfing on the shortlist of additional events for inclusion on the Sports Programme at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Surfing will now be admitted to the second phase of the application process, during which the ISA will be required to present to Tokyo 2020. Tokyo 2020 will then propose the successful International Federations and events to the IOC before the final decision is made at the 129th IOC Session in Rio in August 2016.

With Surfing’s inclusion in the Olympics, Tia Blanco could have the chance to make her nation proud with a Gold Medal, as she did in the 2015 ISA World Surfing Games. Photo: ISA/Ben Reed

“The ISA is delighted that Surfing continues to be considered for inclusion at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. We would like to thank and commend the IOC and Tokyo 2020 for providing us with this extraordinary opportunity to present the virtues and values of our sport. This is a significant milestone for our sport and gives us further motivation and resolve to make our Olympic dream become a reality.

“With its youthful values and engagement, Surfing has incredible global appeal and a unique and modern blend of high performance, style and culture – traits which we believe would add huge value to Tokyo 2020.

“We are energised and excited to present our case and to demonstrate how Surfing is aligned with Tokyo 2020’s core vision as the most innovative Games ever. Withthe new, cost-effective Surf parks that are revolutionising our sport, we are confident that this is the perfect time for Surfing to step up to the greatest sporting stage.”

About The International Surfing Association:
The International Surfing Association (ISA), founded in 1964, is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. The ISA governs and defines Surfing as Shortboard, Longboard & Bodyboarding, StandUp Paddle (SUP) Racing and Surfing, Bodysurfing, Wakesurfing, and all other wave riding activities on any type of waves, and on flat water using wave riding equipment. The ISA crowned its first Men’s and Women’s World Champions in 1964. It crowned the first Big Wave World Champion in 1965; World Junior Champion in 1980; World Kneeboard Champions in 1982; World Longboard Surfing and World Bodyboard Champions in 1988; World Tandem Surfing Champions in 2006; World Masters Champions in 2007; and World StandUp Paddle (SUP, both surfing and racing) and Paddleboard Champions in 2012.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies of 104 countries on five continents. Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California. It is presided over by Fernando Aguerre (Argentina), first elected President in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro. The ISA’s four Vice-Presidents are Karín Sierralta (PER), Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), Casper Steinfath (DEN) and Barbara Kendall (NZL).